Preeminent sarod maestros Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash have released their meticulously crafted Holi-themed album Colors And Celebrations. on March 10, 2025. This sophisticated musical offering represents a remarkable confluence of classical and folk traditions, featuring an extraordinary collaboration with Padma Shri recipient and renowned folk virtuoso Malini Awasthi, affectionately known as the folk queen of India.
Colors And Celebrations presents five expansive, intricately composed pieces that capture the multifaceted spirit of Holi: ‘Holi Hues (Hori Re Rasiya)’, an exuberant celebration of spring's arrival; ‘Divine Celebration (Hori Khele Raghuveera)’, a devotional piece honoring Lord Krishna's legendary Holi festivities; ‘Spirited Splashes (Rang Darungi)’, a playful, rhythmically complex composition; ‘Crimson Flush (Sakhi Solah Hazaar)’, a contemplative exploration of colour symbolism; and ‘Colours of Love (Rasiya Ko Naar)’, a romantic interpretation of Holi's emotional resonance.
Amaan Ali Bangash states, "This album represents our artistic interpretation of Holi's profound cultural significance, beyond the surface revelry to explore its deeper spiritual dimensions. Each composition deliberately weaves multiple thematic elements—from the triumph of good over evil to the celebration of divine love between Radha and Krishna, to the universal joy of renewal that comes with spring's arrival."
Ayaan Ali Bangash elaborates, "Our approach was to create a complete sensory experience through sound. The interplay between sarod and voice mirrors the interaction between colour and canvas during Holi celebrations. We've employed specific ragas that evoke particular emotional colours—from the serene tranquillity of morning ragas to the passionate intensity of evening melodies. Working with Malini ji has been transformative, as her profound understanding of folk traditions brings authenticity and emotional depth that complements our classical framework.”
Malini Awasthi, whose illustrious career spans over three decades preserving and elevating the folk traditions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, reflects on the collaboration, "Working with Amaan and Ayaan has been a profound artistic dialogue that transcends conventional genre boundaries. What emerges is neither purely classical nor folk, but rather a new musical language that honours both traditions of Awadh Brij and Banaras while creating something entirely distinctive. The compositions we've created together speak to the universal emotions that Holi represents—joy, devotion, playfulness, and the eternal cycle of renewal."
Dr. Lakshmi Subramanian, eminent musicologist and cultural historian, notes in the album's detailed liner notes: "What the Bangash brothers and Malini Awasthi have achieved with Colors And Celebrations is nothing short of extraordinary—a sophisticated reimagining of traditional Holi repertoire that maintains scholarly rigor while achieving remarkable emotional accessibility. The innovative use of rhythmic patterns, meticulously researched lyrics, and the seamless integration of sarod and vocal techniques represents a significant contribution to the evolving language of Indian classical music in the 21st century."
Colors And Celebrations was recorded using a pioneering spatial audio technique at the legendary Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai, employing rare vintage microphones and custom-built acoustic environments to capture the nuanced tonal qualities of the sarod alongside Malini Awasthi's powerful vocal performances. The production process incorporated both traditional analog recording methods and cutting-edge digital technologies, resulting in an immersive listening experience that places the audience at the center of the musical narrative.
The album release anticipates the Bangash brothers' highly anticipated summer 2025 international tour, which includes a residency at London's prestigious Wigmore Hall. The 12 July performances will feature a morning collaboration with acclaimed British violinist Jennifer Pike exploring the intersection of Western classical and North Indian musical traditions, followed by an evening concert featuring their father, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, in a rare family performance showcasing three generations of sarod mastery. The tour continues with appearances at the Salzburg Festival, Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Esplanade in Singapore.
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The album is available on all major streaming platforms and for digital download. A specially mastered audiophile-quality 180-gram vinyl edition, featuring original artwork by renowned painter Paresh Maity is scheduled for release in April. A limited collector's edition will include a hardbound book with scholarly essays on the history of Holi music, rare photographs, and detailed musical notation of the compositions.
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